Chapter 3: Fitting spaces

"Ah, Professor Blackthorn!"

Ava turned toward the cheerful voice to see Esme Alderwood emerging from a side corridor, her usual calm smile tinged with something playful. The braid over her shoulder swayed softly as she walked, and her dark eyes gleamed with an energy that made Ava instinctively straighten.

"Heading in for breakfast, are we?" Esme teased lightly as she fell into step beside Ava, her voice a blend of warmth and mischief.

Ava inclined her head slightly. "Good morning, Professor Alderwood."

"Esme," she corrected smoothly, her tone far too familiar for so early in the morning. "You'll wear out that formality quickly if you insist on it."

Ava's lips quirked faintly, though she said nothing, her silence enough to amuse Esme further.

"I was hoping I'd run into you," Esme continued, brushing an imaginary speck from her robes as they neared the Great Hall. "I couldn't let another day pass without checking in on our mysterious new professor. How are you faring, surviving the whirlwind?"

"So far, yes," Ava replied evenly, though Esme's teasing presence made her feel unusually off balance.

"Well, that's something," Esme said with a soft laugh, her gaze lingering just a little too long as they entered the Great Hall together. "It's chaos now, but you'll find it settles soon enough. Unless, of course, you enjoy a bit of stormy weather."

Ava glanced at her, brow raising faintly. "I can manage storms just fine, thank you."

Esme grinned. "I don't doubt that for a second."

They reached the staff table, the energy of the Great Hall already swelling as students filed in, filling the space with laughter, chatter, and the smell of fresh bread and tea. Esme gestured for Ava to sit beside her. "Here, join me. I've been hoping for a chance to talk more—though I promise not to interrogate you. Not too much, anyway."

Ava slid into the seat beside her, silently grateful for the calm of the staff table. Yet as she reached for the teapot, her attention flickered instinctively across the hall.

Further down the table, Juniper Merriweather sat with Professor Bramble, laughing at something the older wizard had said. Her voice rang out, bright and clear, somehow carrying above the din of the hall, drawing amused glances from a few nearby staff.

Ava's gaze lingered despite herself, caught by the way Juniper's vibrant red curls gleamed in the sunlight pouring through the tall windows. Her hair fell in loose waves over her shoulders, almost aflame with color, and when she turned to speak again, her green eyes shone with a kind of brilliance that was hard to ignore.

It wasn't just her appearance—it was the way she filled the space so effortlessly, her presence drawing others toward her like warmth in a cold room. Radiant was the only word Ava's mind supplied, and it unsettled her how fitting it seemed.

"Distracted already?"

Esme's voice snapped Ava's attention back. She blinked, her expression hardening into its usual composed neutrality as she turned to find Esme watching her with a knowing smirk.

"Nothing of the sort," Ava replied coolly, though the faint warmth at the back of her neck betrayed her. She reached for her tea, focusing intently on pouring it.

Esme chuckled softly, propping her chin in her hand as she regarded Ava with unmistakable amusement. "Of course not. You're far too composed for distractions… though I suppose there's always an exception, isn't there?"

Ava shot her a pointed look over the rim of her teacup, but Esme's grin only widened, her flirtatious energy impossible to ignore.

"Relax, Professor Blackthorn. I wouldn't dream of pressing you so early in the day," Esme teased. "We have all year, after all."

Ava shook her head faintly, though a hint of a smile ghosted her lips before she sipped her tea. Esme Alderwood was relentless, and Ava was beginning to suspect there would be no escaping her sharp observations.

Still, as Ava glanced once more down the table—this time consciously avoiding Juniper's direction—she couldn't deny that the distraction Esme hinted at was harder to banish than she would ever admit.

After breakfast, Ava debated how best to use her free morning before her first class. The Library seemed the obvious choice. She could review texts on Alchemy and Ancient Magic Studies to refine her lesson plans. As she crossed the hall, her thoughts turned to specific references she'd read years ago that might be useful for the seventh-year curriculum. Her path was set until a voice pulled her from her musings.

"Professor Blackthorn!" Juniper Merriweather's bright tone carried down the corridor. Ava turned, surprised to see the Herbology professor jogging lightly to catch up with her.

"Professor Merriweather," Ava greeted, her expression calm but curious.

Juniper gave a soft laugh, brushing a loose strand of hair from her face. "Juniper, please. I was wondering if you had a moment. I thought you might like a tour of the greenhouses—get a sense of what we're cultivating. You'll likely be using plenty of the herbs in your classes, and it might save you some trouble later."

Ava blinked, caught off guard by the sudden invitation. "That… does seem practical," she said after a moment's pause. "If you're sure it's not an inconvenience."

"Not at all!" Juniper replied warmly. "It's always nice to show someone around who might actually care about the plants—not that the students don't, but, well, you know."

Ava nodded, her curiosity piqued despite herself. "Very well. Lead the way."

The greenhouses were a stark contrast to the cool, austere hallways of the castle. The moment Ava stepped inside, she was met with a rush of warmth, the mingling scents of earth and herbs creating a heady atmosphere. The glass panels overhead filtered the sunlight, casting soft, dappled patterns across the vibrant foliage. Plants of all shapes and sizes swayed gently in the air, some curling their leaves toward the two professors as if to greet them.

Juniper's voice was lively yet measured, a subtle adjustment that Ava noticed. "These are Flutterby Bushes," she said, pointing to a collection of shrubs that seemed to shiver as they passed. "Wonderful for brewing mood-lifting potions, but they're terribly shy. You have to handle them with extra care, or they'll refuse to yield their leaves."

Ava followed silently, her gaze sweeping over the plants with quiet interest. As they moved deeper into the greenhouse, Juniper gestured to another section. "And here's a patch of Fanged Geraniums. They're a bit temperamental—don't get too close, or they'll nip—but their petals are fantastic for calming draughts."

Juniper paused, glancing at Ava, her green eyes searching for a reaction. "I imagine Alchemy requires a lot of precision with ingredients like this," she said, her tone inquisitive but not overbearing.

"It does," Ava replied, her voice thoughtful. "The timing of when a petal is harvested, even the weather during cultivation, can alter its potency."

Juniper's lips quirked into a smile. "Not bad, Professor Blackthorn. I'll make a herbologist out of you yet."

Ava raised a brow, the faintest flicker of amusement crossing her face. "I'll leave the plant handling to the experts."

Juniper chuckled, moving on to another section of the greenhouse. "This is Luminescent Ivy," she said, pointing to a cluster of softly glowing vines. "It's at its brightest under starlight—useful if you're brewing late into the evening. Though I admit, it's mostly decorative for me. The Hufflepuffs love it, myself included."

Ava nodded, stepping closer to inspect the ivy. "It's well-maintained. Impressive."

Juniper blinked, momentarily surprised by the compliment. "Oh, well, thank you. I've been doing this long enough to pick up a few tricks."

As they moved to the next section, their conversation began to flow more naturally. Juniper's initial energy softened into something quieter, more deliberate. She let Ava's pauses linger, filling the silence only when she felt it was necessary. Ava, in turn, found herself relaxing slightly, appreciating the subtle rhythm of Juniper's explanations.

"You're not much of a talker, are you?" Juniper asked after a while, her tone teasing but gentle.

"I've always been more of an observer," Ava replied simply.

Juniper grinned. "Fair enough. Observation is important in Herbology too, though I admit I'd rather talk to my plants than just watch them."

Despite herself, Ava allowed a faint smile to surface. "Your knowledge is impressive," she said, her tone sincere.

Juniper's cheeks tinged pink. "Oh, well, thank you."

They reached the end of the tour, and Juniper led the way to the greenhouse door. She placed a hand on the handle and gave it a firm push, but the door barely moved.

"Ugh, this silly old door," Juniper muttered, bracing her shoulder against the frame as she tried again to push it open. "It's always—"

"Let me," Ava said, her voice firm but quiet as she stepped forward.

Juniper turned slightly, only to freeze as Ava moved closer—much closer—reaching over her shoulder for the handle. Ava's presence was sudden, her body brushing lightly against Juniper's back as her hand gripped the door handle.

"Careful, it's stiff," Juniper stammered, her words coming out weaker than she intended.

Ava didn't reply. She pushed the door sharply, her grip firm, and the stubborn thing finally gave way. It swung open faster than either of them expected, the force sending Juniper stumbling backward—directly into Ava.

The collision wasn't rough, but it was enough to tangle them together. Juniper's back pressed fully against Ava's front, Ava's free hand instinctively moving to steady her with a light grip on Juniper's arm.

For a long, suspended moment, neither moved. Ava's breath caught as she realized how close they were—close enough that the soft scent of earth and herbs clung to Juniper, blending with the faint coolness of the stone corridors. Juniper's wide green eyes turned up toward Ava's, her breath hitching audibly as their gazes locked.

Ava froze, her dark eyes darkening further with something unreadable, and her hold on Juniper's arm tightened ever so slightly. Heat rose between them, unspoken words tangled in the air, and Ava could feel her heart pounding with a rhythm she didn't care to name.

Juniper was the first to move, her cheeks flushed as she let out a soft, shaky laugh. "Well… I'd say you showed that door who's boss."

The words broke the spell. Ava blinked, her composure snapping back into place like a drawbridge slamming shut. She released Juniper's arm quickly and stepped back as though burned, her expression turning almost rigid.

"I—I'm sorry," Ava said abruptly, her voice sharp with control, though there was an edge of breathlessness to it that betrayed her. She looked away, as if the sight of Juniper's flushed face was too much to hold.

"It's fine," Juniper replied quickly, though her own voice wasn't much steadier. She tucked a loose curl behind her ear, her smile uncertain as she tried to brush off the awkwardness. "Really. No harm done… aside from my pride, maybe."

Ava gave a curt nod, her movements brisk as she turned toward the corridor. "I'll leave you to it, then," she muttered, her tone low and clipped as she made a quick retreat.

Juniper stood in the doorway, watching Ava's retreating form with her heart still pounding in her chest. She exhaled slowly, pressing a hand to her flushed cheeks and trying to will the heat away.

"Merlin," she murmured to herself, her voice barely audible as she shook her head with a nervous laugh. "What was that?"

She glanced back into the empty corridor where Ava had disappeared, her lips curling faintly despite herself. Whatever that had been, it had left her completely off balance—and judging by Ava's reaction, she wasn't the only one.

By the time dinner arrived, Ava had firmly pushed the incident in the greenhouse to the back of her mind. The Great Hall, alive with the laughter and chatter of students, seemed a world away from the quiet tension of earlier. Candles floated above the long tables, their soft glow casting a golden warmth over the room.

Ava took her place at the staff table, her posture impeccable, her expression composed as ever. She reached for the teapot in front of her just as a voice broke through the low hum of conversation.

"How are you finding your first days back at Hogwarts, Professor Blackthorn?"

Ava looked up to see Selene Greystone, the Transfiguration professor, watching her with an appraising gaze. Selene's pale blue eyes held a sharpness that could feel interrogative if not for the faint, almost imperceptible smile tugging at the corner of her lips.

"They've been productive," Ava replied evenly, pouring tea into her cup. "The students are engaged, and the curriculum is falling into place."

Selene inclined her head slightly, as though evaluating Ava's response. "I'm glad to hear it. Settling into Hogwarts as staff, rather than a student, can take some adjustment. Especially…" she gestured subtly toward the long tables full of students, "…when one must lead an entire house on top of their classes."

Ava met Selene's gaze without flinching, her composure unwavering. "Responsibility suits me," she replied simply.

"Indeed," Selene murmured, though something in her tone suggested a hint of amusement. She gave a small nod of approval before returning to her meal, clearly satisfied with the answer.

Ava exhaled softly, reaching for her cup. Across the table, however, Juniper Merriweather appeared anything but focused. She was leaning forward slightly, laughing at something Professor Bramble had said, her bright red curls nearly brushing the edge of her plate. The sound of her laughter carried easily, drawing a few glances from nearby students—and from Ava.

Ava lingered for just a second too long before returning her attention to her plate, her expression unreadable as always. Composed, she reminded herself silently, though the warmth of the Great Hall suddenly felt heavier than before.

Juniper, in the other hand, had been distracted ever since the greenhouse. She'd tried to push the memory aside, telling herself it was nothing—just an accident, an awkward moment that didn't warrant further thought. But despite her best efforts, the fleeting brush of Ava's hand, the press of her chest, and the look in her dark eyes lingered stubbornly in her mind.

She glanced at Ava now, her movements precise as she cut into her food, her expression unreadable. Juniper felt an odd mix of frustration and intrigue. She didn't understand why such a small, mundane moment had unraveled her composure. Ava Blackthorn wasn't the first reserved person Juniper had met, nor was she the first to resist her friendly overtures. And yet, there was something different about her—something that made Juniper want to dig deeper, to uncover the person behind that guarded exterior.

As her gaze lingered, Ava looked up, her dark eyes briefly meeting Juniper's. Juniper quickly averted her gaze, focusing intently on her plate, but the faint heat rising in her cheeks gave her away. She busied herself with her food, silently chastising herself for overthinking.

Ava, for her part, dismissed the moment entirely. Whatever had happened earlier in the day—the door, Juniper, and the strange tension that followed—was locked firmly away. She had no room for distractions. With her focus returned to the tasks ahead, Ava resumed her meal, entirely unaware of the thoughts still swirling in Juniper's mind.